Program Officer, Francophone West Africa (FJS)

Foundation for a Just Society (FJS) envisions a world without discrimination — where people are equally valued regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, economic status, or sexual orientation.

Through direct grantmaking, capacity building, strategic communications, and leadership in philanthropy, we advance the human rights of women, girls, and LGBTI people globally — with particular focus in Central America, Francophone West Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and the US Southeast.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Officer will serve as the key point of contact for organizations in Francophone West Africa (particularly Burkina Faso and Senegal) seeking funding, reviewing grant requests, managing a diverse portfolio of grants, evaluate regional grantmaking strategies, and manage an in-country Francophone West Africa regional consultant. The Program Officer will contribute to the implementation of our grantmaking, capacity building, strategic communications, evaluation and monitoring programs. This position requires international and domestic travel.

Contribute to the development of in-depth knowledge and strategic analysis of assigned regional area(s), including current issues and key resource people and organizations, and a clear understanding of how they fit into our Theory of Change.

Oversee all stages of grantmaking in regional portfolio(s), including solicitation, due diligence, assessment and evaluation, recommendations for funding, docket writing, and presentation to the executive director and Board of Directors.

Monitors grant implementation and evaluates performance, including following up on grantee inquiries and site visits.

Prepare internal status reports and contributes programmatic analysis for the program team and Board of Directors.

Attends Board Meetings to present recommendations and provide information and updates; interacts with the Board of Directors throughout the year.

Recruit and manage external consultant resources.

Adhere to foundation grant management system and grantmaking procedures, including preparation of all relevant documents.

Capacity Building

Field emergent capacity building requests from current grantee partners

Develop a field-level capacity building approach for regional portfolio(s)

Strategic Communications

Work with the communications team to build the communications capacities of grantee partners and the women’s and LGBTI rights fields.

Contribute to the advancement of our communications strategy, as guided by the communications team.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills; clear understanding of how to research an issue area and effectively communicate findings.

Demonstrated ability to engage in strategic and analytical thinking and planning with a strong attention to detail.

Experience moving a project from conceptualization to completion, including the coordination of planning and logistics for meetings and convenings.

Experience working as an effective member of a highly collaborative team and independently.

QUALIFICATIONS:

BA/BS required, Master’s degree highly preferred.

Minimum 5–10 years of professional experience in women’s and LGBTI rights work in Francophone West Africa (particularly at a grassroots level) and in the field of philanthropy.

French fluency

Excellent research, written and oral communication skills

COMPENSATION + CULTURE

FJS offers relocation support, a competitive salary, excellent benefits, generous vacation, and a collegial working environment. We employ a small staff and are dedicated to promoting an environment of collaboration and work-life balance.

FJS deeply values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of individuals of underrepresented backgrounds, including gender, race, religion, and sexual orientation.

HOW TO APPLY

Email a concise and compelling cover letter, two relevant writing samples, and your resume in one PDF to jobs@fjs.org by September 30, 2016. Please include “FWA Program Officer – YOUR NAME” in the subject line.

All applications must be received via email. No phone inquiries please.